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The WSJ was hammering the UAW today, both on their contracts with the automakers and on the resort and golf course.
Maybe there's enough of a teaser at the links:
UAW Fades as Union Shrinks in Size, Power (upshot - the UAW will be left with dramatically reduced clout, and a limited ability to resist future job and benefits cuts).
Union's Rich Assets Recall the Glory Days
"The auto industry's implosion has hurt the union, leaving it with fewer dues-paying members. Last year, it took in $161 million in dues from 431,000 people, according to its filings, down from $206.5 million from 654,000 members four years ago."
and about Black Lake:
"But the resort has been a drain on the union, losing an estimated $23 million in the past five years and forcing the UAW to borrow to keep it afloat. Given the union's current troubles, it has become a sore point for many members."
I am self employed, and do all my own work...no receptionist, no paralegals...with the exception of my answering service, I answer my own telephone, make my own calls, do my own typing and research and copying...having said that, I often need a "5-10 minute brain break", so I will kick on the Internet and jump to this topic...I may read the posts and then, at my next "break" a few hours later, write a comment or response...so, no, I am not retired...
I wish I could save a few phrases to save typing time, like trying to make a point to rocky...
It takes a slow typist like me awhile to type the usual "drunk, stoned, worthless, spoiled, welfare minded, illiterate overpaid underworked UAW member" or "unskilled $35/hour floorsweeper" so I can rile rocky's chain...:):):)...
But, I manage...
Now that he's single, anyone know if he is dating Beth???...she seems to have all the right "assets" to sell cars, maybe rocky could marry her and HE could get supported in the manner to which he wants to become accustomed...he's free, she's free, this could work...
Gosh I hope she isn't a UAW-lover like him, or we will have to shred her like we shred him...she could be intelligent and think like me and gagrice...we can only hope...:):):)
I was offered a liferope and took it. I hope some of the UAW workers listen and learn up, too.
But, hey lemko, any work over there in Philly for rock? Making cheesesteak sandwiches, maybe? I just threw that one in to sort of get things moving a bit (does his best Austin Powers cheesy smile). :shades:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Any word on just how big of a cut the UAW workers are offering to take to keep GM afloat. I think it is too late as Obama wants GM in his portfolio. The question, will the American voters sit and let the government subsidize the D2 just so the UAW workforce is protected? I think 2010 will be a repeat of 1994. Vote em all out and especially Pelosi.
I'm in tech. support (cubicle farm) and my company has a fairly liberal internet policy, so I take a few breaks throughout the day and check the forums here. As long as people don't visit inappropriate sites or charge company time, then we're OK.
There ya go, rock, Google Wackenhut and come out here and join me in the SW desert. It really is beautiful. There's lots of wildlife. There's these large rodents that look like pigs but aren't, called javelina's. After living here over 2 and 1/2 years I finally saw one the other day. Black fur about 2-3 inches long streaming down it's sides as it scurried in to the bushes.
No, check Wackenhut out rockford. All you need is A/C for your home and car. I wouldn't try saving money and going without, although one could inch by that way.
Back on topic, though, is June 1st the day we find out what the UAW are going to get in concession pay and benefits? Seems like there's no concrete news in the past several days. Or have I been too involved with the hospital and missed all kinds of things. I'm off to Tucson to the dentist this AM. Finally getting my week off-it's been kinda busy in Respiratory Therapy of late. Flu's and viruses on top of the usual suspects to take care of pt.'s for.
Time for another cleaning appt. at the dentist for me, gotta go. Fill me in, though, guys.
Oh, go ahead and type three sentences out, if you must.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
One of my friends works as a waiter, and on a good week, he might bring home $600. It can be tough, exhausting work though, and isn't for everybody. I did it back in college, and wouldn't do it again unless I really had to.
Now $600 per week isn't going to make you rich, but it can be enough to keep you afloat until something better comes along. The downside, however, is that in local economies where people are getting laid off, I'd imagine restaurants aren't doing so well, either. More out of work people = less people going out to eat, worse tips, etc. Plus, with more people out of work, that means more competition out there for every waiter position that becomes available.
To be brutally honest, I think Rocky's just going to have to start back at square one and go to college. That degree will open a lot of doors for him. I see him majoring in Criminal Justice - most definatley a growing field around here!
No problem with time. I am actually Wally from Dilbert.
I really love the stuff they put on huachinango al mojo de ajo down in Mexico.
None of which has squat to do with the topic, if you get my drift. Unless you want to infer that some people will seek out Chinese made Buicks because they want to see the UAW dry up and go away.
"The United Auto Workers Union (UAW), under pressure to make concessions to General Motors Corp. as the company approaches a June 1 restructuring deadline, said today it will propose to its rank-and-file members key givebacks to help GM's long-term future."
UAW to GM: Will Deal on VEBA, More Wage Givebacks (AutoObserver)
So, our ideas and suggestions may help him think...then again, maybe Beth's major assets make him think...
And steve, where else could rocky go to learn about overpaid, unskilled, illiterate, ignorant, $35/hour floorsweepers that don't deserve 1/4 of that pay rate???...he sure won't hear it from his own...
Did I let that floorsweeper thing slip again???...
Hmm? Don't know what you're talking about. :P
So, our ideas and suggestions may help him think...then again, maybe Beth's major assets make him think...
Please, not a male gold digger, hopefully....
And run the risk of becoming an "educated derelict" ? Say you didn't really mean it...
We can't keep saying those kind of things. They're not politically correct, or is it UC (Unionly correct). We'll have the Obama police coming after us because they're on his team.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My question is, how does that help the UAW? Will there be profit sharing? 401K?
Good luck guys, how many of you voted for him?
OK lemko. Now be a real friend to Rocky and tell him the truth about the UAW, business and a college education. You have encouraged him to support the UAW and rejected a college education as trivial, but your obvious success in life seems to be due to a different path than you previously advised.... Let's go, be straight...
Excellent business structure. Tell us, are they unionized?
I'm semi-retired; I have to put in 500 days over the next 5-10 years and then I'm completely off the hook...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
The VEBA mess is just one little part of the high cost of labor for the D3. Chrysler is toast so their agreement is worthless. With the way GM & C are treating dealers they will be lucky to get any more orders, unless they have the cash from a buyer in hand.
The tax payers are screwed all for a handful of Prima donna UAW workers. I guess the campaign money was well placed.
and in harder news,
U.A.W. Likely to Get Less Than 39% of G.M. (NY Times)
"U.A.W.’s deal with G.M. allows the company to finance half of its future retiree health car costs — which this person estimated at $17 billion to $18 billion — with company stock. That means that while the figure isn’t 39 percent, it’s likely to be a fairly significant sum. (In a similar deal with Chrysler, the U.A.W. received a 55 percent equity stake in the carmaker to finance that company’s retiree health care obligations.)"
Leave it to the NY TImes to put periods in "UAW."
The rank and file of the UAW have three people to blame for this: Big Three brass, Washington chicken****s who let Detroit roll over them, and the UAW leadership itself, which let its members play in traffic, if you will, for decades, until a fleet of better made Japanese cars came down that road and you know the rest.
Am I missing something here? By my rough calculations, GM stock is worth about $715 million. 39% is about $268 million. That is a far cry from the $17 BILLION GM owes VEBA. And the bondholders with secured debt DO have a say in this bankruptcy. I believe the Supreme court will have to sort it out as Obama thinks he can circumvent the Constitution. The true value of GM is an unknown without C7 BK. Liquidate and hand out the proceeds as written in our laws. That is the way failed business should be conducted.
PS
VEBA's 55% of Chrysler is probably near $Zero. Nothing from nothing is still nothing.
how does that help the UAW? - UAW will own part of the new companies
Will there be profit sharing? 401K?
Good luck guys, how many of you voted for him?
UAW membership will get a balanced compensation package finally. You see, it has to fit the business model targeting a viable marketing plan. That hasn't happened in decades in Detroit.
Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
GM & Chrysler are both toasted..however our tax $$$$$s will keep them alive for years with promises of green cars, however dismal products will prevail and the [non-permissible content removed] will own the USA market place..
Gas prices as predicted by our trusty White House gurus will be around $3.60/gal by 2016..wrong again, $3.60 by the end of 2009..Try the stock symbols OIL & USO, I baled out of USO week ago, did okay, however waiting for another a high twenties price again..Our dependence on foreign oil will be greater than ever with the White House dissing all efforts to drill offshore or on shore..
How do like having a president who doesn't care about the credit rating of the United States, or the meaning of private investment, and really gives a hoot about the stock market, or the legally of our bankruptcy laws???????
The whole "GITMO" affair is really a diversion for other sinster grabs...
The real scary part is the backup team of Biden and Pelosi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the "Banana Republic".........................
I kinda miss the Mustang Bullitt, however the manual trans for a very senior citizen was somewhat of a pain..and the track pkg on the 2010 is only manual shift. Ford has yet to produce an auto trans with any guts..
Since the UAW will be a big player in Chrysler and GM--I will not spend my $$$$s on any of their products or any automobile coming from Japan, Korea, India, or China.. Looks like I am down to Ford or the European guys..
The UAW and goon squads are joined at the hip..Been there and ran a UAW shop in good old Michigan for 7 years..in reality only about 5% of the people at the shop adored the the union, only lost 1 arbitration case during my tenure..however I got by for 6-1/2 yrs my way..small penalty for loosing..
For those who blame management, I will agree with you on poor vehicle design...but I also see that it was risky to take a strike, but they should have had the backbone to stand up to the UAW, take losses for a few quarters, let Wall Street hammer them, but breaking the UAW would have ensured future profits forever...
rocky needs to look outside of Grand Rapids for a job...his scope is too small...just because a Texas judge hammered him on his divorce does not make the entire South bad...plus, when you come down to it, Texas is not considered the South, but the Southwest...more like New Mexico and Arizona, not much like Alabama and Georgia...
Plus, now that he IS divorced, draconian laws in other states will not affect him at all, unless he marries and gets divorced again...but, here in GA, the laws are much more fair for equitable distribution...plus, if he married someone who earned the same as him, and had no kids with her, alimony would be minimal for maybe 12 months, and no child support at all...why not move to GA???...oh, wait, maybe not...he will try to tell US about why we should unionize, and we finally got rid of our lone GM and Ford plants, and our KIA plant will be non-union, so we have a good chance of success...rocky, go anyplace but GA, please...:):):):):)
Ford is UAW, and I'd be curious to hear if any European maker isn't unionized, at least in their home countries.
Start walking?
Its not Unions in general, it is the UAW that has such a BAD reputation breaking their companies. I look for Ford to move the Trucks all South and not much will be left for the UAW to destroy. Obama Motors will hire 3 times as many UAW people as they need to build cars and use them for campaigning every 4 years when he gets the Presidential term limit eliminated. At his age he is good for at least 8 terms.
IMO the Europeans and Ford have the only decent cars left for sale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPCKaA2Wr0o
or see link on WCSX website
Another viewpoint has been that the union voted for Obama and yet he's taken over GM, forced them into bankruptcy which will cause massive loss of jobs and manufacturing plants. So the union has been screwed by Obama and they are really P.O.'d.
Two opposite opinions: Obama is pandering to the union or Obama is screwing the union.
There was a legislator many years ago that said something like "When I hear the same number of complaints on both sides, that means we have a pretty good compromise".
Given the nastiness of losing a critical US manufacturing base vs. the nastiness of bailing out failed companies, IMHO this current path is probably about the best one to take. Not pretty, but no alternative was going to be pretty. Thanks to Wagoner, the Board, and the UAW.
They can do that and call it "Putting People to work".
Basically the same as it has always been with the UAW plants.
Obama is going to have to lean real heavy on the unions for help, as he knows nothing about building cars. Of course, the UAW obviously knows nothing about keeping a company viable. But that doesn't matter as the tax payers can keep picking up the slack.
They can just build them and park them and build some more.
Kip
--or most other things. On the job training is getting expensive for the taxpayers here with this guy and his crack team of advisors left over from a previous administration 8 years ago.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Baldwin said the U.A.W. isn't to blame. It was their union leaders who misled them and the fault of the companies.
He also says the auto companies should die, then tried to change his statement (maybe he should run for speaker of the house).
Since he is living in another country, why is he commenting on the US? Don't I recall that he said during the Bush campaign(s) that he would leave the country if he (they) was elected?
Why do people who are pretty faces and movie fodder think they have superior knowledge on politics and should tell the US populace how to vote?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Congress attacks GM revamp
A letter signed by 36 representatives was sent to President Barack Obama on Friday, asking him to slow down the process to allow for more consultation.
Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic representative, complained that taxpayers’ money was “being used to close dozens of US car manufacturing plants and thousands of dealerships, having the effect of putting perhaps millions of Americans out of work”.
Separately, the Senate commerce committee said it intended to ask carmakers’ chief executives to testify about plans to close dealerships.
As planning between the company and the government’s autos task-force continued, analysts noted that the amount of credit insurance written on GM’s debt made a filing seem inevitable.
GM on Friday said it had borrowed another $4bn from the Treasury, taking its total federal funding to $19.4bn, and expected to need $7.6bn more after June 1.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/2dca3956-46f2-11de-923e-00144feabdc0.html
Gary, as far as the dealers are concerned, isn't the problem been all along that the dealer network (for the Big 3) is overbloated?
One of the Chrysler dealers being closed here (of the 2 being shut down in RI) has been howling loudly about being shut down. They are a stand alone Jeep dealer, and an excellent performing one at that. However, there is more to the story. According to Chrysler, there has been a 10 year effort to bring all 3 nameplates under one roof at all their dealerships, and they have been reluctant to do so (BTW, the family also owns the states largest Toyota and Hyundai dealerships). Last year, they were informed by Chrysler that another Chr. Dodge dealer wanted to pick up Jeep, and they protested, as was their right under state law (they were w/in 20 miles).
I find it hard to feel sorry for them, as they weren't willing to go along w/ Chrysler for the last 10 years, but also find it hard to believe that these employees won't be shifted to one of the other 3 dealerships in the area.
Since he is living in another country, why is he commenting on the US?
Another country, pretty face, movie fodder... you must be referring to the country of California, home of Reagan, Schwarzenegger and who knows who else.
Fun quiz, got another?
No news, but here's a rehash of Corker bashing:
"Locally, UAW leaders point a finger of blame at Corker, saying his hard-line stance during auto bailout talks weeks ago helped put GM's operations at risk. Corker said Friday he is doing everything he can to keep Spring Hill open, but O'Rourke of the UAW local said the senator "turned his back" on union workers by pushing for wage and benefit concessions that help foreign automakers."
Spring Hill holds its breath (The Tennessean)
Of course there is no easy way to restructure this industry but the $billions bleeding of the last few months could have been avoided if the proceedings kicked off on Jan. 1 under a structured C11. There are hard choices when a company this size fails and those choices are life changing. But the point of no return was reached a few years back and cemented in last November when the money ran out supporting the skeleton we know as the entire US auto industry.
Regards,
OW
Sure, UAW is amusingly smart at finding another scapegoat, as always. :P
Could it be that it's the economy and 6 million people are already out of work?? :surprise:
...and no auto companies are immune?
The survivors have a business model flexible enough to weather the storm. Some survive some won't.
Regards,
OW
That's funny.
Most people dont realizes its the union jobs that supports everyones wage other wise we would all be making 5.00 an hour there would be no reason to pay more!
Except there is a Federal Minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. That should be plenty for an entry level UAW job putting parts on cars. If they top out at $15 plus benefits, where's the beef? The problem is the UAW jobs are artificially held high. They do not reflect the average manufacturing wage in the USA. That makes the company uncompetitive and the jobs are in jeopardy. This is not new in the last 8 years or 20 years. We started losing manufacturing to foreign companies right after the war. The UAW has had a monopoly of sorts with the D3. Now they are not competitive and their market share is dwindling fast.
If the UAW wages helped everyone's wages, why are most of the people in the Midwest making half what the UAW workers get? Face it UAW workers are GROSSLY over paid for the level of skill and training required. GM or C or Ford could hire a million immigrants tomorrow at minimum wage and be building cars of equal quality to what the UAW workers are building. They don't because the UAW has a strangle hold on the companies in the USA. So the alternative is to build factories in Mexico, India, China, etc.
The UAW leadership should have looked at the profit and loss statements for GM years ago and told the members we need to cut wages to bring GM back into the black. Instead the idiots go on strike when GM is bleeding red ink. You want me to feel sorry for those people. OK, I feel sorry they were born so stupid as to kill the goose laying the golden eggs. I feel sorry for all the Non Union workers that are going to be impacted by the ignorance of the UAW.
kendog: nobody is trying to bring everyone down to the lowest common denominator...what we have noted is that, simply, the skill level of auto assembly, which can easily be performed by the illiterate (paraphrased from Lee Iaccoca) is not worth what they are paid...PERIOD...they "beat the market" for years living in a fantasy world where cost increases were just passed onto consumers...then something happened...
WE WOKE UP and realized they were selling us junk!!!...Americans, in droves, deserted the Big 3 and bought imports...not at the point of a Japanese gun, mind you, but simply over a 20 year time period, more and more of us realized that import cars were better...so the drop in Big 3 market share was evolutionary, until it reached a tipping point, where the Big 3 were no longer selling enough cars to pay the exorbitant wages/benefits/retirements to workers with no marketable skills but were paid like royalty...
Like it or not, a floorsweeper, lug nut tightener, or spray painter (not the actual painting, mind you, just pushing the button that starts the computer robot to paint) is not worth $35/hour, but in the UAW, that is what they are paid...this is work that high school kids could do, but the UAW level of workmanship may be below that of the average high-schooler...
rocky tells that floorsweepers are no longer part of the union...maybe not NOW, but not so long ago, the UAW doubled the number of janitors by requiring a janitor for every 3 workers instead of every 6 workers...they halved the work, doubled that portion of the payroll, and did not increase productivity or quality one bit...
That is what the UAW has done to the auto industry...they have killed it, and they get far more blame than management ever could...management decided to make the Buick Roadmaster, a stupid tank if there ever was one...but the workers assemble every unit with 3rd world workmanship, and then wonder why no one wants to buy it...
Unions killed Eastern, and the Steel companies, aand now the automakers...there is no one else to blame...
If we made them as good as the imports, this discussion would not exist...but we don't (don't bother, lemko, we know you are the exception), and it does...
I don't have to be on the line to know what rotten workmanship is...they would be better if they admitted that they are mostly drunk, at least that would give us a reason for shoddy crap they make...now, all we can do is attribute it to stupid workers or sabotage...
Sorry for the indirect inferences...strong direct opinions to follow soon...
Really??? How???
Union or no union it'll make no difference as minimum wage is federally mandated. You seem to refer to union's deeds from 50 years ago or something like that. It's you who should realize that you can't cling to the old past and think we have to reward everything based on an expired deed.
Besides we're talking UAW, not all unions. UAW jobs are overpaid, that much is obvious for everyone to see, especially NOW that they're practically getting paid from our money.
The better job you do, the higher you deserve to get paid. That's my belief and I'm sticking to it. The UAW does a poor job, hence they deserve their paycuts.